Acer Aspire TimelineX 4830T review

Performance was reasonable, particularly for an ultra-portable. Acer has opted for an Intel Core i3-2310m processor and 3GB RAM; while hardly a powerhouse, the processor still runs at 2.1GHz and should have more than enough power for most desktop applications. It coped well with our multimedia benchmarks, achieving a good overall score of 42.

Although this won’t challenge a desktop PC, it’s still a respectable amount of power to find in a low-price laptop. Performance didn’t come at the expense of battery life either, as the 4830T managed an impressive 10h 45m away from the mains in our light-use test, which is one of the best results we’ve seen.

Graphics performance is left to Intel’s integrated chip rather than a dedicated card, so games unsurprisingly weren’t the 4830T’s strong point. It could only manage a lowly 15.4fps in our Dirt 3 benchmark, so only older titles will be playable. Even so, it still handles high-definition video; we could play 720p clips on the laptop, or 1080p files on an external display using the HDMI port.

The TimelineX weighs much more than we expected given the compact chassis, but at 2.2kg you should still be able to take it on the move without straining your shoulder. If you’re looking for a compact laptop with excellent battery life, but don’t want to pay a huge amount for a premium ultra-portable (or wait for the upcoming crop of Ultrabooks), the 4830T is a good choice. It has its shortcomings, but you still get plenty of laptop for less than £500.